Following a hard-fought game on March 31, the men’s lacrosse teamed returned to their locker room to dissect what had just happened during the game. Players quickly realized something was not right: three players noticed that their iPhones were missing.
The men’s lacrosse locker room is located in the Arfmfield Athletic Center and is supposed to be locked at all times. What remains unknown is how someone gained entry into the room.
“I was utterly shocked,” said sophomore James Hulette, one of the victims. “What was different about this day? We have been here all year and nothing like this had happened before.”
Indeed, many members of the lacrosse team felt dismayed by the incident. The robbery seemed to be completely random. That day there were phones, wallets and headphones all in open sight, but the burglar only took three iPhones.
“I don’t really understand the method to (the burglar’s) madness,” said first-year lacrosse player Chandler Zirkle. “Why did he want just those three specific iPhones?”
iPhones can cost anywhere from $300 to $500, depending on the customer’s plan. With three iPhones stolen, the robber made off with as much as $1,500.
A similar incident took place in the locker room at the beginning of the year, when another person gained access into the locker room and stole a pair of cleats.
The locker room is equipped with a punch-code entry system that is supposed to keep the door locked at all times. After the first break in, the code had to be changed for the third time.
These recent robberies have made lacrosse players a bit on-edge about leaving their valuables out in the open.
“I’m definitely going to think twice about leaving anything out anymore,” said junior lacrosse player Henry Farley. “I’ve already had one iPhone stolen, there’s no way I’m letting that happen again.”
Director of Public Safety Ron Stowe acknowledges that this was a serious incident, but it was nonetheless a random occurrence.
“This theft seems to be an isolated incident, and not one that the community should be overly concerned about,” Stowe said in an email interview. “I recommend to all students that they are always diligent with securing their property and keeping a mindset of safety and security — both for their personal safety and the security of their property. It only takes a brief time for someone to pick up unattended or unsecured property.”
Currently there are no suspects in the case. Anyone with information regarding the robbery should contact Guilford Public Safety at (336) 316-2909 or extension 2909 from a campus phone.
